Tyrant

:

Season 2
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 24, 2014
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Jun 15, 2015
    83
    By the end of the first season, the show had improved significantly, if not quite dramatically, and based on a viewing of the first two episodes, that trend continues.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ray Rahman
    Jun 30, 2015
    75
    The war crimes scares off potential friends like France and China, and gives the show an absorbing current-events sheen. [3 Jul 2015]
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  3. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Jun 16, 2015
    70
    At its best, it's a family drama in an unusual setting. And after some tweaking, a more entertaining one.
  5. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Jun 16, 2015
    70
    Fascinating and perplexing, enjoyable and frustrating, intelligent and obtuse at the same time.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jun 16, 2015
    60
    Through the first three episodes of season two, Tyrant continues to suffer its share of problems, most notably failing miserably when it comes to characters making realistic, believable choices. But viewers tuning in for just an engaging soap opera, which it is, may be willing to cut the show some slack.
  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jun 15, 2015
    60
    Tyrant finds more nuance in these episodes, as well as some pretty overt biblical overtones in Barry’s emotional arc. And while the character remains a rather tepid protagonist, his role in driving the story is mitigated by the unfolding events in Abbudin.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Joshua Alston
    Jun 16, 2015
    42
    For viewers who want their Middle East intrigue overpowered by sugar and salt, then spoon-fed to them, Tyrant is doing that as well as ever.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 46
  3. Negative: 11 out of 46
  1. StuckOnReviews
    Jun 17, 2015
    10
    Great start to a second season, I loved it last season and I'm almost certain I'll love this season. Ever since last summer I've been waitingGreat start to a second season, I loved it last season and I'm almost certain I'll love this season. Ever since last summer I've been waiting for a new season to come. Now get to the actual review, the second season Barry is still in prison and Jamal seems to want to let his brother free but Jamal's wife wants the death penalty , you can tell something's wrong with Jamal, I think he's starting to realize he needs his brother because he can't run the country by himself. Meanwhile Bassam's (Barry) wife is running a petition, and people are spray painting free Bassam on the county walls.… Full Review »
  2. outraaageous
    Sep 1, 2015
    4
    We know Tyrant is cheesy, "turn your brain off" entertainment designed to appeal to a demographic that believes Western politics can remedyWe know Tyrant is cheesy, "turn your brain off" entertainment designed to appeal to a demographic that believes Western politics can remedy the complications of the Middle East. That has been apparent since the offset, but take the programme in isolation, ignore any of its attempts to be clever with moral quanderies, and you will find that it's a fun show, with plenty of solid twists.

    Season 2 has gone slightly off-key with the emergence of an insurgent caliphate resembling IS in all but name. This is treated fairly sensitively and some exposition has been devoted to the motivations of both sides, however it still feels cheap given the current goings on in the real world.

    Adam Rayner's acting has not improved in the second season and the writers have sensibly shifted focus onto the real star, Ashraf Barhom, who plays the despotic Jamal. However the episodes seem to have repeatedly treaded over old ground this season. Any more insistance that Jamal is indeed a "mad dictator" is not needed.    … Full Review »
  3. chuckvw
    Aug 20, 2015
    9
    TYRANT is an action-packed, very entertaining family saga. It's not a documentary. If you are expecting historical verisimilitude, you mightTYRANT is an action-packed, very entertaining family saga. It's not a documentary. If you are expecting historical verisimilitude, you might want to give it a pass. The production values are a cut above. The cast is excellent, especially the actors of Middle Eastern descent, who don't often get a look in on American TV. Now that two seasons are in the can TYRANT would make an excellent binge watch.… Full Review »
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